Microplastic freshwater contamination: an issue advanced by science with public engagement
Plastics are a major source of environmental pollution that has been brought to the fore by the discovery of floating plastic continents in several oceans as well as media images of large plastic pieces wrapped around or ingested by wildlife. The high visibility of macroplastic pollution raises awareness among the general public; however, this is not the only plastic-out-of-place. Additionally, both micro- and nanoplastic particles are also being found in marine environments (including deep water environments) and they have different effects and environmental impacts because of their size and composition (Jamieson et al. 2019). While each of the above-mentioned categories of plastics have been found in significant quantities in certain maritime areas, the prevalence and impact of these plastics in freshwater systems, while well researched (Eerkes-Medrano et al. 2015; Li et al. 2018), is much less known to the public. Because of this lack of visibility, there has been little public awareness or discussion of the problem. For policy agendas and civic action, it is necessary that the public be part of the conversation for both more research and for change leading to cleaner freshwater.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | artículo biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer Nature
2019-06-01
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| Subjects: | Microplastics, Microplastic freshwater contamination, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10261/200322 http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000780 |
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